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Winter Holidays

With the kids home from school on holiday vacation and out-of-town guests arriving soon, safety in the home may not be the first thing on many parents’ minds. After all, there are decorations that need to be put up and cookies still to be baked. What you may fail to realize is that when decorating is done, the work is not over. From candles to Christmas trees, ensuring a festive, safe atmosphere, especially for children, will be the most important preparation of all.

Residential fires are an increased threat during the holiday decorating season. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, candles will be the source of about 1,600 home fires this winter holiday season. Christmas trees also pose a potential fire risk if not cared for and properly maintained. They cause about 200 fires during the holidays each year.

“Parents may get caught up in creating an unforgettable holiday environment for their families and unknowingly put their children at risk this holiday season by overlooking the potential dangers of their decorations,” says Heather Paul, Ph.D., executive director of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. “Whether you’re putting up a Christmas tree or lighting the Menorah or Kwanzaa candles, taking simple precautions can help make your holidays more joyful and safe.”

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends the following tips to keep your holiday season safe:

Fire Safety for Children

Teach your child to crawl low under smoke. More than 70 percent of childhood fire deaths are caused by the smoke and toxic gases produced as a fire develops and spreads.

Teach your child to cover their mouths and noses. A moist towel is best, but a t-shirt or any cloth within reach can protect lungs from dangerous fumes.

Teach your child to touch doors before opening them. If the door is hot, they should use an alternative exit.

Teach your child never to go back into a burning building. Children should be reminded not to stop or return for anything, such as a toy or to call 9-1-1. A call to 9-1-1 should be placed after leaving the premises.

Teach your child to “stop, drop and roll." Upon leaving a burning house or building, children whose clothes have caught on fire should immediately stop, drop to the ground and roll back and forth to quickly extinguish the flames.

Take your child to your local fire station for a tour. They will be able to see a firefighter in full firefighting gear and learn that he or she is someone who puts out fires and saves children.

Poisons

While preparing your home for the holidays, be aware of seemingly innocent and unexpected forms of poisons.

Install UL-approved carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

When burning wood, open the flue in your fireplace to provide adequate ventilation. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases dramatically in the winter. Proper ventilation of fuel-burning appliances reduces this risk. Check these appliances annually and before you first use them in cold-weather months.

Keep alcoholic drinks and their containers out of reach. Holiday beverages such as eggnog laced with alcohol may be sweet and inviting to young children. Do not leave alcoholic drinks unattended. They can be harmful to children who consume them.

Keep the common baking ingredients vanilla and almond extracts out of reach. They contain high levels of alcohol and may be harmful to young children.

Beware of fire salts used in fireplaces to produce colored flames. They contain heavy metals and cause intense gastrointestinal irritation or vomiting if eaten.

Keep poisonous plants out of reach. Watch for holly and mistletoe berries that fall on the ground, because they are very poisonous if eaten. Other poisonous holiday plants include amaryllis, azalea, boxwood, Christmas rose, Crown of Thorns, English ivy and Jerusalem cherry. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous, but they can cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress.

Avoid using artificial snow sprays to decorate. These sprays can cause lung irritation if inhaled.

Know the Poison Control Center’s national hotline number, 800 222-1222, and keep emergency medical service phone numbers by all telephones. In addition, leave a phone number for babysitters so they can reach you in an emergency.